Tesse has spent nearly 25 years concentrating on improving transportation options in Los ​Angeles and around the United States. She focuses on the early stages of project ​development, laying the groundwork for successful funding, delivery, and program ​development in order to meet the needs of the traveling public in a timely and fiscally ​sound manner. As a transportation planner and engineer with experience in all stages of ​project development, Tesse bridges the gap between conceptual planning and detailed ​design, bringing her expertise in delivery development, financial planning, policy ​analysis, alternatives comparisons, and environmental regulations.

Beginning with her ​early involvement on several LA Metro transit projects, including the Gold Line, Tesse ​has excelled at delivering successful projects on time and under budget while ​coordinating multiple interested parties. She utilizes her excellent communication skills to help clients work through funding and delivery challenges: Tesse authored the FTA Recovery Plan for the nearly $10 billion Honolulu Skyline Project; developed a series of governance analysis papers for the BART/CCJPA Link21 mega project; and is currently collaborating on a financial strategy for the High Desert Corridor High Speed Rail. As Deputy Project Manager for the North Central Texas Council of Governments Transit 2.0 study, Tesse is overseeing a multi-million budget with multiple teaming partners to deliver an accelerated strategic approach to delivery transit in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. In addition to her projects, Tesse manages pursuits and client-related operations for the firm, building on her previous experience as a Vice Present leading the Los Angeles Transit Section for HDR.

Tesse studied civil engineering at Bucknell University and Urban Planning at the ​University of Southern California. She is a proud member of the Leadership APTA class ​of 2016, and currently serves on the Mpact National Steering Committee, collaborating with transit and livability experts from around the nation to develop unique and educational sessions for the annual conference. Through her work and her volunteer work, Tesse looks forward to continuing to bring transportation choices to our clients ​and our communities.